Bangalore, our starting point, is the capital of the state of Karnataka, formerly known as Mysore. It is a thriving modern city brimming with bars, malls, clubs, spas, and a whole lot of positive energy. The Bangalore Air Show was in town and so was a rock concert. It was a busy weekend for Bangaloreans. We assembled at the Taj West End for briefing and high tea, and soon boarded our coaches for an evening at the Chitrakala Parishad – Bangalore’s high temple of art.

Mysore, once the capital city of the Wodeyar royal family, has a quaint charm and a rich heritage. Known for its palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, temples, and rich silks, it is the second largest city of Karnataka, and the sandalwood and incense capital of India.

Our first and only halt today in Mysore was The Mysore Palace. The hundred- year-old palace, the fourth to occupy the site, was built after a fire broke out and destroyed the palace during the wedding of the oldest daughter of Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar in 1897. Designed by British architect Henry Irwin, the palace was completed in 1912, and is the official residence of the Wodeyars.

We drove back from Kabini to Mysore and straight to the Golden Chariot for lunch. After a brief R & R it was time to visit Srirangapatam – the 18th century palace of Tipu Sultan.

The island town of Srirangapatam, was the capital from which Hyder Ali and his son, Tipu Sultan, known as “The Lion of Mysore” ruled much of south India before being defeated by the British in 1799. “Tipu Sultan was one of Britain's wiliest and most stubborn adversaries, who put up the most spirited resistance to British imperialism.” Little remains of the old fort at Srirangapatam, where Tipu died fighting the British, but Tipu Sultan's rectangular summer palace, the Daria Daulat Bagh, a huge rectangular building of teak and birchwood, built in 1784 – just about 225 years ago – is intact.

(More in the print issue)

Shravanabelgola, a Jain pilgrimage site, is 50km from the train station in Hassan – a small market town. The languorous bus drive gives a glimpse of rural Karnataka - men and women working in fields, children cycling to school - idyllic picture-postcard views. When we finally disembarked from the bus, we saw the 650 stone steps that lay ahead! This heavenly stone ladder would take us to the 58 feet high colossus of Gommateshvara atop the southern hill. The ascent was a cardio-challenge. My pulse was sprinting, my calves throbbing, and my lungs ready to burst. Dragging my reluctant legs flight after flight of steps, I made it to the top. What an awesome sight! The 18m (58ft) high statue is the tallest free-standing sculpture in South India.

(More in the print issue)

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	Page 2 'Pride of the South’ - A Five-Star Time Travel Through Karnataka Day 1 – Bangalore Bangalore, our starting point, is the capital of the state of Karnataka, formerly known as Mysore. It is a thriving modern city brimming with bars, malls, clubs, spas, and a whole lot of positive energy. The Bangalore Air Show was in town and so was a rock concert. It was a busy weekend for Bangaloreans. We assembled at the Taj West End for briefing and high tea, and soon boarded our coaches for an evening at the Chitrakala Parishad – Bangalore’s high temple of art. (More in the print issue) Day 2 - Mysore Palace & Kabini/Bandipur Mysore, once the capital city of the Wodeyar royal family, has a quaint charm and a rich heritage. Known for its palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, temples, and rich silks, it is the second largest city of Karnataka, and the sandalwood and incense capital of India. Our first and only halt today in Mysore was The Mysore Palace. The hundred- year-old palace, the fourth to occupy the site, was built after a fire broke out and destroyed the palace during the wedding of the oldest daughter of Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar in 1897. Designed by British architect Henry Irwin, the palace was completed in 1912, and is the official residence of the Wodeyars. (More in the print issue) Day 3 - Mysore /Srirangapatam We drove back from Kabini to Mysore and straight to the Golden Chariot for lunch. After a brief R & R it was time to visit Srirangapatam – the 18th century palace of Tipu Sultan. The island town of Srirangapatam, was the capital from which Hyder Ali and his son, Tipu Sultan, known as “The Lion of Mysore” ruled much of south India before being defeated by the British in 1799. “Tipu Sultan was one of Britain's wiliest and most stubborn adversaries, who put up the most spirited resistance to British imperialism.” Little remains of the old fort at Srirangapatam, where Tipu died fighting the British, but Tipu Sultan's rectangular summer palace, the Daria Daulat Bagh, a huge rectangular building of teak and birchwood, built in 1784 – just about 225 years ago – is intact. (More in the print issue) Day 4 - Shravanabelagola / Belur and Halebid Shravanabelgola, a Jain pilgrimage site, is 50km from the train station in Hassan – a small market town. The languorous bus drive gives a glimpse of rural Karnataka - men and women working in fields, children cycling to school - idyllic picture-postcard views. When we finally disembarked from the bus, we saw the 650 stone steps that lay ahead! This heavenly stone ladder would take us to the 58 feet high colossus of Gommateshvara atop the southern hill. The ascent was a cardio-challenge. My pulse was sprinting, my calves throbbing, and my lungs ready to burst. Dragging my reluctant legs flight after flight of steps, I made it to the top. What an awesome sight! The 18m (58ft) high statue is the tallest free-standing sculpture in South India. (More in the print issue) Next page Disclaimer
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